US4481528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multicolor image printing device and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-11-18
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Granted: 1984-11-06
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Expires: 2002-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A multicolor image printing device composed of a micro-reticulated resin containing different colors of ink which are selected to correspond with the image being printed by a scanning device coupled to a digitizer. In one embodiment a plurality of small resin pieces are preimpregnated with ink and then arranged in an array to form the image printing device. In another embodiment the resin is an integral piece and the ink is injected therein at the desired locations. The methods and apparatus of making and using both embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Peck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/54; B; B41; B41M; B41M1/00; B41M1/14; B41M1/16; H04N1/50; H04N1/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for making a color image printing device comprising a scanning means for scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; a color selection means having an input means for receiving said scanning signal and means responsive to said scanning signal to generate a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; a plurality of color banks each holding a plurality of printing modules comprising ink of a single color, and each having distributing means responsive to said color selection signal to distribute one of said modules when said color selection signal corresponds to the color of printing modules held therein; a composing means to compose said distributed modules into an array of modules; and a binding means for binding said array whereby said bound array can be applied to a surface and the ink in said printing modules will produce at least one image corresponding to said representation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for making a color image printing device comprising a scanning means for scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; a color selection means having an input means for receiving said scanning signal and means responsive to said scanning signal to generate a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; a plurality of color banks each holding a plurality of printing modules comprising ink of a single color, and each having distributing means responsive to said color selection signal to distribute one of said modules when said color selection signal corresponds to the color of printing modules held therein; a composing means to compose said distributed modules into an array of modules; and a binding means for binding said array whereby said bound array can be applied to a surface and the ink in said printing modules will produce at least one image corresponding to said representation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said printing modules comprising a microreticulated thermoplastic resin and printing ink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said printing modules having an outer seal to prevent said ink from leaking, and said apparatus further comprising means for removing a portion of said outer coating from said modules after they have been composed into said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said scanning means scanning said representation in a television raster scan-like pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said scanning means comprising a television camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said color selection means comprising a logic circuit to convert said scanning signal into a matrix of signals corresponding to a matrix of positions defining the area of said representation and averaging means for generating an average color determination signal for each position in said matrix, and a decision means for generating said color selection signal responsive to said average color determination signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, said decision means comprising a plurality of filter means corresponding to the plurality of color banks, each filter means passing a color selection signal to said distributing means of said color banks only when said average color determination signal corresponds to the color in said color bank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, said decision means comprising a color recognition means for recognizing the color indicated by the average color determination signal and for applying said color selection signal to the color bank distributing means corresponding thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said composing means comprising a distribution network for receiving said distributed modules and maintaining them in the order of their distribution thereto; a frame for receiving said modules from said distribution network; means for moving said frame to arrange said modules in said frame to form said array to correspond to the representation scanned by said scanning means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for making a printing device comprising a scanning means for scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; a color selection means responsive to said scanning signal to generate a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; a block of ink absorbing material; a plurality of color injection means for injecting ink into said block of ink absorbing material; and delivery means responsive to said color selection signal to deliver said color selection means to a portion of said block of ink absorbing material to inject ink therein to form a pattern of ink injections in said block, said pattern corresponding to the scanned representation so that the block can be applied to a surface to print at least one image of said representation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for making a printing device comprising a scanning means for scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; a color selection means responsive to said scanning signal to generate a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; a block of ink absorbing material; a plurality of color injection means for injecting ink into said block of ink absorbing material; and delivery means responsive to said color selection signal to deliver said color selection means to a portion of said block of ink absorbing material to inject ink therein to form a pattern of ink injections in said block, said pattern corresponding to the scanned representation so that the block can be applied to a surface to print at least one image of said representation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said block of ink absorbing material comprising a block of microreticulated resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said microreticulated resin having sealed apart chambers therein to prevent different colors of injected inks from inter-mixing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said scanning means scanning said representation in a television raster scan-like pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said scanning means comprising a television camera.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, said color selection means comprising a logic circuit to convert said scanning signal into a matrix of signals corresponding to a matrix of positions defining the area of said representation; and averaging means for generating an average color determination signal for each position in said matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, said delivery means comprising a filter means responsive to said color selection signal for activating said delivery means only when said color selection signal corresponds to the color in said color injection means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, said detection means comprising a color recognition means for recognizing the color indicated by the average color determination signal and for applying said color selection signal to the delivery means for delivery of said color injection means corresponding thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, said delivery means comprising designation means for designating the ink injection means corresponding to the colorselection signal and for orienting the designated injection means for injecting; and moving means for moving said block of ink absorbing material so that said designated color injection means injects ink into said ink absorbing material to form said pattern corresponding to the representation scanned by said scanning means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of making a color image printing device comprising the steps of: scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; generating a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; providing a plurality of color banks each holding a plurality of printing modules comprising ink of a single color; distributing a printing module from one of said plurality of color banks when said color selection signal corresponds to the color of printing modules held in the color bank; composing said distributed modules into an array of modules; and binding said array; whereby said bound array can be applied to a surface and the ink in said printing modules will produce at least one image corresponding to said representation.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of making a color image printing device comprising the steps of: scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; generating a color selection signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; providing a plurality of color banks each holding a plurality of printing modules comprising ink of a single color; distributing a printing module from one of said plurality of color banks when said color selection signal corresponds to the color of printing modules held in the color bank; composing said distributed modules into an array of modules; and binding said array; whereby said bound array can be applied to a surface and the ink in said printing modules will produce at least one image corresponding to said representation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 including providing said printing modules as microreticulated thermoplastic resin and printing ink.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 including sealing said printing modules with an outer seal to prevent said ink from leaking, and removing a portion of said outer coating from said modules after they have been composed into said array.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, said scanning step including scanning said representation in a television raster scan-like pattern.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, said scanning step including scanning said representation with a television camera.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, said step of generating a color selection signal comprising converting said scanning signal into a matrix of signals corresponding to a matrix of positions defining the area of said representation; generating an average color determination signal for each position in said matrix; and generating said color selection signal responsive to said average color determination signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 24 comprising filtering said color selection signal at each of said color banks to pass said color selection signal and thereby distribute one of said printing modules only when said color selection signal corresponds to the color in said color bank.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, said step of generating said color selection signal comprising recognizing the color indicated by the average color determination signal and applying said color selection signal to the color bank corresponding thereto, to effect distribution of a printing module therefrom.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, said composing step comprising providing a frame for receiving said modules as they are distributed; receiving said distributed modules and maintaining them in the order of their distribution; moving said frame to arrange said modules in said frame to form said array to correspond to the representation scanned by said scanning means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of making a printing device comprising scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; generating a color selection signal responsive to said scanning signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; providing a block of ink absorbing material; injecting ink into a portion of said block of ink absorbing material responsive to said color selection signal to form a pattern of ink injections in said block, said pattern corresponding to the scanned representation so that the block can be applied to a surface to print at least one image of said representation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of making a printing device comprising scanning the representation to be printed and generating a scanning signal responsive thereto; generating a color selection signal responsive to said scanning signal corresponding to the color of a portion of the scanned representation; providing a block of ink absorbing material; injecting ink into a portion of said block of ink absorbing material responsive to said color selection signal to form a pattern of ink injections in said block, said pattern corresponding to the scanned representation so that the block can be applied to a surface to print at least one image of said representation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising making said block of ink absorbing material of microreticulated resin.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 29 comprising making sealed apart chambers in said block to prevent different colors of injected inks from inter-mixing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 29, said scanning step including scanning said representation in a television raster scan-like pattern.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, said scanning step including scanning said representation with a television camera.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 comprising converting said scanning signal into a matrix of signals corresponding to a matrix of positions defining areas of said representation; and generating said color selection signal for each position in said matrix.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 33 comprising filtering said color selection signal so that said step of injecting said ink into said block occurs only when said color selection signal corresponds to the color of ink to be injected.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 comprising recognizing the color indicated by the average color determination signal and injecting said ink into said block if the color of said ink corresponds thereto.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 comprising moving said block of ink absorbing material and injecting said ink into said ink absorbing material to form said pattern corresponding to the representation scanned.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |